Mission Valley Animal Shelter

We are the only animal shelter operation for dogs and cats between Kalispell , Missoula and Great Falls, Montana and the Idaho border, an area approximately 130 miles by 200 miles. We are one of only two totally privately-funded animal shelters for dogs and cats currently in operation in Montana. We are funded solely by donations, fees and, to a lesser extent, from grants from animal welfare organizations -- we receive no governmental, state, county or municipal funds.

We were organized in 1989, opened a temporary facility in 1992 and moved into our permanent shelter in November 1994. During 2000 we raised money for an expansion of our shelter which was completed in early 2001. With our facility of approximately 2,400 square feet, we have 8 inside dog kennels, 6 outdoor covered dog runs, 10 outdoor dog runs, a large outdoor puppy area, one isolation kennel and two separate fenced yards for dogs. The entire area is surrounded by 478 feet of 8-foot high chain link fencing to ensure security of the facility as well as give dogs room to exercise and run.

Inside the shelter, we have a 300-square foot cat room where the cats are free to roam and socialize. We also have a cat isolation area where new cats and kittens are observed upon intake to ensure their health and sociability before entering the cat room and the general population.

Visitors to our shelter from around the country (since this is a popular tourist area) often comment that the Mission Valley Animal Shelter is the nicest, cleanest shelter they have ever seen. We maintain high standards not only for the facility but also for the care of the animals entrusted to us.

Our location in Lake County, Montana, is in the picturesque Mission Valley, a farming area with a population of 34,000. About one-half of the County is within the Flathead Indian Reservation and, although the region is truly beautiful with many lakes and rivers and spectacular mountains, if suffers from economic depression and severe domestic animal overpopulation. Lake County is one of the few counties in Montana that has NO animal control laws and the Flathead Tribal Animal Control officer is severely restricted in authority and funding. As a result, the bulk of problems with dogs and cats throughout the area eventually reach our shelter for solution.

Our annual budget of approximately $150,000 takes care of an annual intake of dogs and cats of over 1,000. Our finances, space and personnel are all strained with this burden. All of our money must be raised from caring people who have a strong desire to help animals.

Our organization has a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS so all donations are tax-deductible and go directly to help run the shelter and the animals. We do not pay outside consultants any fees for fund raising - we do it ourselves. We are run by a 9-member Board of Directors which meets monthly and all directors take an active role in ensuring the organization is run efficiently and in a business-like manner. Many charitable foundations have found that our organization is one of the best run nonprofit corporations and of that we are truly proud.

We remain committed to caring for all animals that come to the shelter in the most humane way possible. If you can help us, please consider making a donation to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter so that we can continue our work of loving and caring for the animals that come to us and providing spay/neuter services to reduce pet overpopulation.

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